NSA

When the National Security Agency lost control of the software behind the WannaCry cyberattack, it was like "the U.S. military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen," Microsoft President Brad Smith says, in a message about the malicious software that has created havoc on computer networks in more than 150 countries since Friday.

David Hyde talks with Ben Wizner, director of American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy And Technology Project, about former NSA contractor, Edward Snowden, and how Snowden's leaks have changed privacy in the United States.

Saying that "critics are right to point out that without proper safeguards, this type of program could be used to yield more information about our private lives," President Obama said Friday that he wants the National Security Agency to stop holding on to massive amounts of "metadata" about the phone calls and electronic communications of millions of people around the world.

Steve Scher talks with David Cole, constitutional lawyer and national security expert, about how the state of security has changed post 9/11 and whether or not President Obama's civil liberty record holds up to his promises.

U.S. and British intelligence agencies have worked to infiltrate networks of violence-prone individuals who might unite for a common cause. And in some cases, the spies are also targeting networks that aren't regional terrorist cells — they're online gaming communities, according to the latest revelation from documents given to the media by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

Questions over who knew what and when about the latest NSA spying revelations and troubles with the Affordable Care Act rollout dominate Washington, D.C. The panel weighs in on those stories and takes one last look at state and local races before Tuesday's election. Plus, we get post-Halloween action items from Live Wire host Luke Burbank.

Some of the electronic surveillance programs of the National Security Agency have been on "automatic pilot" in recent years and have inappropriately "reached too far," Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday.

Steve Scher talks with political scientist Henry Farrell about the national security concerns that swirl around leakers like Edward Snowden and how publicizing national secrets affects American foreign policy.

The continuing drip of revelations about NSA spying continues to provoke outrage around the world. Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore puts that outrage in historical context. She tells The Record's David Hyde that the modern concept of a right to privacy is a relatively new concept. And Lepore says the assertion of privacy rights always follows the rise of new technologies that have already invaded our privacy.

Reports that the United States has been spying on our European allies has caused outrage in the region. According to documents leaked to The Guardian by former National Security Agency employee Edward Snowden, the NSA has monitored the phone conversations of up to 35 world leaders.

The European Union held a council meeting yesterday and today in Brussels. The original purpose of the meeting was to discuss the economy and job growth, but that was quickly overshadowed by talk of security and trust. Allies spying on allies is nothing new, so why the anger about the revelations? Charles Kupchan, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains why this time is different and what the diplomatic fallout will be for the United States.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has decided to postpone her state visit to the US next month. This decision comes after the revelation that the NSA had spied on Rousseff and her government. President Obama said in a statement yesterday that he “understands and regrets the concerns disclosers of alleged US intelligence activities have generated in Brazil.”

Facebook and Yahoo have joined Microsoft and Google in asking the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court for permission to tell the public about personal information they give to spy agencies.

The big four companies are responding to persistent reports that spy agencies are using them to grab users’ personal information.

In the FISA court filings, Microsoft, Facebook, Yahoo and Google say their reputations have been damaged. They say only a small part of Internet traffic is being handed to spy agencies, and they want to give the public information to correct the record.

The Justice Department says it can’t allow that for national security reasons.

The companies say that gag order violates their free-speech rights. Microsoft and Google are asking the FISA court to allow oral arguments so that they can argue their case in public.

Reports from the New York Times, the Guardian and ProPublica cast light on how spy agencies are obtaining private data. The news organizations say the US National Security Agency is using covert partnerships with technology companies to weaken encryption software.

"When the American people find out how their government has secretly interpreted the Patriot Act, they are going to be stunned, and they are going to be angry," said Oregon Senator Ron Wyden on the Senate floor in May, 2011. He was referencing the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance program.

President Obama is set to hold a news conference at the White House on Friday at noon P.T. — his first such formal give-and-take with the press corps since "NSA leaker" Edward Snowden started spilling secrets about National Security Agency surveillance programs in June.

Clint Dempsey Joins The SoundersFans of Seattle soccer were treated to a welcome surprise at the start of Saturday's game against Dallas. Clint Dempsey, captain of the US Men's National Team and player for Tottenham in England announced he would be joining the Seattle Sounders. We talk with Steve Clare, president of the North American Soccer Reporters and editor of Prost Amerika Soccer about what this means for the MLS and the Sounders.

Understanding US-Russian RelationsThe diplomatic relationship between Russia and the United States was strained long before President Vladimir Putin granted a one year asylum to NSA whistle blower Edward Snowden. Dr. Stephen Cohen, professor emeritus of Russian studies at New York University, explains the long history and current conflict between the two nations.

Your Housing Questions AnsweredPuget Sound housing prices are on the rise. Mortgage rates continue to be historically low. What does that mean when it comes to your living situation. Should you buy a house? Should you sell your house? Should you refinance? When is it wiser to stay renting? Two housing experts are on hand to answer your specific questions. Call us at 206.543.5869 or 1.800.289.5869.